Final Reflection

Common Place Reflection

This idea of common placing at the start of this semester was new to me in concept.  I've had blogs where I pump out links and articles but never on a specific topic.  My research was helped a considerable amount due to this commonplace blog, and I can see the benefits of actively searching for articles on the web.  Eventually, the commonplace blog shifted my focus towards the MPAA and the ratings system more so than simply trying to prove films do not cause children to commit violent acts. 

My research process was driven mainly by the links to articles, videos and studies I found.  As I stated before, early on in my research, I was simply trying to show that films do not cause deviant behavior in children, and as a result, the MPAA shouldn't be so strict on film ratings.  What ended up happening was that I found that the MPAA appears to have ulterior motives.  I don't believe they are evil, and they truly do want to help families make better decisions for their children; however, the side effects of being so closely linked with the big six studios have made this simple task more difficult than it needs to be.

With all the links, I had found, I quickly shifting my writing towards separating the MPAA from the big six studios.  I thought this was a more honorable and practical solution than simply stating, “do away with the rating system and the MPAA.”  Obviously, that mentality would not have helped my research in the slightest.  Once I had a solid foundation in my mind, due to the commonplace blog, I was able to refine my ideas and ultimately begin writing my paper.

The one area I found frustrating was trying to find differing sources of information.  Many times, the articles I had found came up more than once.  For instance, the entry about the film Bully came up many times, and I found myself having a difficult time finding recent articles about the MPAA after April 10.  Another frustrating area was finding decent scholarly articles about the MPAA and censorship.  I found a few articles, which had quotes and experiences from Wes Craven, the director of A Nightmare On Elm.  Unfortunately, most of the other articles I had found simply spoke about violence in films, and the studies involved in proving films did or did not cause deviant behavior.  After seeing how much easier it would have been to keep to my original topic, I almost decided to shift back, but I thought against it after collected all the data that I had for the commonplace blog.

I would like to keep up with common-placing, but not for this assignment as I feel I’ve had enough of the MPAA for one semester.  I will, however, attempt to do this for my senior seminar next semester.  I can truly see the benefits of common-placing and how it can improve a person’s knowledge in one area, especially for a research paper.

 NOTE: I am provided this copy as well as a hard copy!

The ratings and what they mean

Another entry from the MPAA's website.  I've been finding this a good source of information for my paper.

http://www.mpaa.org/ratings/what-each-rating-means

There are still many things that the MPAA does not disclose about how these ratings are given.  There are a variety of rumors about the number of "F-bombs" can be used before you get an R rating.  Please note how much longer the PG-13 entry is, as most films that are meant to be blockbusters in the theaters are PG-13.  Also, PG-13 movies tend to be more profitable. I have no real statistics to back that claim up of course.  Either way, this provides some insight into how the ratings are given.

Rating system FAQ

Here is a little excert from the MPAA's website about their rating system.

http://www.mpaa.org/ratings

They make a point to show that the system is completely voluntary; however, with my paper I hope to show that this "voluntary" system has serious flaws.  Something interesting to note is the section about advertising.  Only if a film is rated can advertising campaigns begin.  Currently, it appears rare that a film which is not yet rated shows up in commercials and stays unrated.

Bully recieves an R rating. Director is PISSED

 The director of the film Bully, released some statements about the MPAA and the apparent hypocrisy of their rating system.  Bully is a film about...well...bullying and the horrible effects on children.  The director claims that while most films that glorify violence, and sex receive PG-13 or PG ratings, his film about values got an R rating for language.  The content of the film is not looked at while the language is, what a joke...
The content of a film should also be a determining factor for a rating.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bully-director-slams-mpaa-great-hypocrisy-307290

Ratings Bias

Here is a nice little article about an informal study done to show the biases of the MPAA against independent studios.  I may be able to use this as some sort of non-academic source for my paper.  This is my favorite part of the article:

"David Waguespack, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, and Olav Sorenson, a professor at Yale's School of Management, find that the MPAA goes easier in its ratings on the major studios. This is less surprising when you take into account that the MPAA's only members are, in fact, the six major studios (Disney, Paramount, Sony, Fox, Universal, and Warner Bros.)"

Again, this is the type of thing that needs to be stopped with the MPAA, in my humble opinion.

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/the_customer/2011/02/the_7_percent_solution.single.html

NOTE: The website takes some time to load.

Brief history of the Hays Code and the MPAA

Today, I present you with a small tidbit of history.  This information is important as it shaped the current system we have in place with the MPAA.

http://www.artsreformation.com/a001/hays-code.html

Check out the section on how crime is handled.  We are definitely more lienent these days, but we still have problems.  Either way, I hope you enjoy it!

Once again, Matt and Trey

I know I keep coming back to these guys, but they're the only ones willing to speak out against this type of BS. I had posted a video a while back where they basically stated the same thing; however, I can't ignore this clip, and I enjoy South Park too much not to post this.  I honestly think if more content creators would speak out, then perhaps change could be enacted! In this clip, Matt and Trey basically discuss how the MPAA kept asking for changes to the South Park Movie.  Naturally, Trey and Matt ended up submitting far worse stuff that was accepted. I love the way these dudes do business.

I hope the ONE of you that hits up this blog enjoys it.

Simple yet effective.picture

I found this picture while digging through some forums on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). I'm really sick of typing that...but what do you think? Any thoughts?

I think it's clever yet effective at the same time!
 

Mortal Kombat and the ESRB

If you play video games, then you've more than likely heard of "Mortal Kombat."  For those of you, who lead normal lives not consumed with hours of video game playing, "Mortal Kombat" was an infamous fighting game where you were allowed to dismember and commit hilariously gruesome acts of violence to your opponent after you won a match.  These finishers were called "Fatalities" and lead to a huge uproar with parents and as a result, congressional hearings.  Eventually, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) was created and "Mortal Kombat" was censored for the home console release (this was when arcades were still around and home consoles weren't nearly as powerful as before). 

When I went back to play "Mortal Kombat," and yes I still have my copy, I was laughing at how absurd the graphics looked and how something so cartoonish with its violence caused so much panic.  I seriously doubt that children were going to be ripping each others arms off or uppercutting peoples heads off. 

Anyways, I figured that I would highlight some of the biggest controversies in the gaming community.  Keep in mind when you're reading this if you've even heard of any of these games.

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-29/tech/violent.video.games_1_sale-of-violent-video-mortal-kombat-entertainment-software-rating-board?_s=PM:TECH

Thankfully, games were never censored very heavily.  So, why can't films be the same way?

MPAA and Censorship!

Today boys and ghouls I bring you a short clip from the documentary "This Film Is Not Yet Rated."  In this clip co-creator of South Park Matt Stone talks about how the MPAA, a group designed to inform the public, is more or less in the hands of big named studios. Now, Matt Stone does NOT come directly out and say it, but he makes a good point in that if you have sufficient money, or you have a big enough name, the MPAA will basically tell you what needs to be cut. What exactly does that mean? Well, Stone points out that when their (Matt Stone & Trey Parker) made their first independent film "Orgazmo" the MPAA strictly told them they couldn't tell them what needed to changed in order to get an R rating. If the MPAA had done so, then they would have become a censorship organization. So, why did they tell them what to cut during the South Park movie?

I've gone ahead and embedded the video below for people too lazy to click a link ;)
Also, warning, there is puppet sex!

Dee Snyder and Music Censorship

During the mid 1980s Tipper Gore and the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), which she co-founded, brought Dee Snyder of "Twisted Sister" fame in front of the United States Senate.  The goal of the PMRC was to establish a set of rules, much like the MPAA and films, for music that was deemed inappropriate for people, especially children.

Many famous musicians at the time including Frank Zappa, Dee Snyder and John Denver all testified and were not in support of the actions made by the PMRC.  Eventually, the PMRC managed  to convince a variety of stores, including Wal-Mart and J.C. Penny, to remove rock music and magazines about rock music from the stores shelves.  Additionally, a list creatively called the "Filthy Fifteen" was released which, basically, contained the songs the PMRC found the most offensive.

Personal Note: What I really hate about hearings like this, is that these people, Tipper Gore, feel that they know what is best for everyone.  Music is meant to be interpreted and Mrs. Gore sure does seem to find a lot of stuff about bondage in this music! ;)

I believe that Dee Snyder said it best at the end of his testimony, "The full responsibility for defending my children falls on the shoulders of my wife and I, because there is no one else capable of making these judgments for us."

I've gone ahead and posted a few videos from that hearing that I think are very interesting and funny below.  If you don't want to or don't have time to watch them, watch the first video, please.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veoYcsH7Wrs   - Dee Snyder vs Tipper Gore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgSjjD6rRu4  - John Denver Senate Hearing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxB-ZePpS7E - Frank Zappa Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNZdMxkKcBw - Frank Zappa Part 2

Mike Godwin's Anti-Censorship Speech - Post 1

Here is Mike Godwin's Anti-Censorship speech that he delivered at Carnegie-Mellon (CMU) back in 1994.  While Godwin's speech doesn't exactly pertain to my topic on censorship in film, Godwin put s the mind-set of those in seats of authority into focus. As someone who has routinely produces written and video content, I find the stifling of creative thought to be beyond comprehensible thought...basically, I think it's dumb! Seriously, the decision to censor someone or something is like being that little kid who takes his ball home after he gets made fun of...

"They wanted you to remember the meaning of the Periodic Table, but they
wanted you to forget that the chemistry between lovers is one of the most
beautiful things we know.

They wanted you to remember the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, but they
hoped you forget that the fundamental fact of human sexuality shapes our
entire existence."

http://www.sjgames.com/SS/godwin-CMU.html

I believe that the method of thinking exhibited by the administrators of Carnegie-Mellon in the mid 90s is a good representation of the mindset of those that would attempt to censor a film.